Raiders’ Greg Olson on Antonio Brown: ‘Expected him to play all along’

Oakland Raiders' Antonio Brown (84) and teammates gather before an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP)

Photo: John Woods / Associated Press

With receiver Antonio Brown expected to play for the Raiders in Week 1, offensive coordinator Greg Olson was asked Friday how that would affect preparations for the Broncos.

Not much, it turns out.

“I’d planned on having him all along — or we had, as an offensive staff,” Olson said. “Had a little bit of a glitch the other day, but that’s been cleared up. And so nothing’s really changed.”

The “glitch” was Brown’s absence on Thursday amid reports he could be suspended following a confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock. Friday, head coach Jon Gruden said that the Raiders expect Brown to play in Monday night’s season opener.

Olson said the offense was prepared to install different plays in practice Friday if Brown’s status remained uncertain, but “it worked out great the way it worked out.”

“I know there was a lot of different information out there in what the plan was,” Olson said. “But I knew Jon and Mike, I had full confidence in whatever decision they made.”

Brown missed most of training camp and did not play in the preseason because of frostbitten feet and a helmet grievance against the NFL. Olson echoed Gruden and quarterback Derek Carr by saying he doesn’t expect Brown to have issues fitting into the offense.

Olson also said he thinks Brown is “in a great place right now mentally.”

“When he has been at practice, he has been the furthest thing from a disappointment that you can find,” Olson said. “So we’re real excited, again, to see him play.”

Crosby update: Rookie defensive end Maxx Crosby did not play the final three preseason games after breaking a bone in his hand Aug. 10 against the Rams. But Crosby has not appeared on the injury report this week ahead of Monday’s opener.